A shale gas drilling boom over the last decade has propelled the United States from energy importer to exporter, taking the country a giant leap toward the goal of energy independence declared by presidents for half a century.

Without oil and gas, our lives would be significantly different. Medicines, clothing, plastics and rubber products would not exist.

A strategy memo from 2012 encouraged anti-fracking groups to make connections between health problems and fracking, even when no evidence existed to support the linkage. The goal of the plan, which included leveraging the power of the media and a focus on young children, was to undermine support for oil and natural gas development and expand regulations.

Stars & Stripes asked Capt. McCormick to sign magazines

... those ideas are actually intrinsically linked to oil and natural gas. "Renewables today depend increasingly on natural gas for backup when the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing... So without natural gas or other forms of fossil energy, there would be little, if any, solar or wind energy anywhere."

The 2017 edition of Global Energy Institute's Index of U.S. Energy Security Risk finds that U.S. energy security is continuing to rapidly improve to one of the best scores in decades, after hitting bottom just five years ago.

Capt. McCormick begins a monthly appearance on "America Matters" radio (Nevada), talking about all things energy security.

With looming threats like a nuclear North Korea, national security is top of mind for many Americans. What some may not realize is that investing in advanced energy technologies is a critical component of our nation's security, and Congress will be making major decisions on these investment levels later this year.

I have been following the coverage of the devastation wrought by the hurricanes in Texas and Florida and the food, potable water and gasoline shortages which stretch far beyond the areas impacted by the storms. It triggered a couple of memories.

Mexico's continuing energy reforms could make US offshore oil and gas producers consider leasing there if more of the US Outer Continental Shelf is not opened for exploration and development.